New Podder Here
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15595
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 4:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Podder Here
Posted By: Ipodder
Subject: New Podder Here
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2023 at 2:53pm
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Hello to everyone on this forum! Just purchased a 2023 r pod 25 foot with center bath. Looking forward to setting this little camper up and hit the road! Had a motorhome back in 1994. We used it for several years and really enjoyed it. It was a Dolphin MH 32 foot. Life happened so we sold it and now that we are retired we are free to travel!! This go around we wanted a TT instead of an expensive MH and boy has the price gone sky high on MH's. We love this little trailer and plan to do a lot of camping! The wife wonted the center bath for more room in the bath. Haven't went camping yet, we still have freezing temps and the pod is still winterized. Got a great deal on it from the dealer. Well folks we are stoked to have this little camper and when the weather breaks we plan on doing a lot of long term camping. Happy camping everyone and see ya down the road!
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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Replies:
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2023 at 3:21pm
Hello and welcome to the forum. You will be able to let us all know about the latest and greatest innovations that Forest River has incorporated into the your R Pod. Most of all enjoy your camping experience and the great outdoors. And don't forget to get accustom to your new weekly schedule of 6 Saturdays and a Sunday. Again Welcome.
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Jay
179/2019
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2023 at 4:43pm
+1 Seeing you are 'seasoned veterans' you will easily pick up all the 'details' involving your new R-Pod. Nevertheless your best (IMHO) way to get a feel for it will be to camp out at least for an overnight in your driveway to get accustomed to how everything works as well as what you may need to have that you didn't with your 32' Dolphin. Congratulations and welcome!
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: Ipodder
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2023 at 8:04pm
Thanks Jay for the nice welcome......I'm glad I found this site for r pods.
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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Posted By: Ipodder
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2023 at 8:07pm
Fantastic idea Jato, we will sure do that!
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2023 at 8:17pm
Hello and welcome! I hope you have many fun adventures with your RPod and make many great memories doing so.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Ipodder
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2023 at 1:40pm
Hi StephenH sorry late getting back to you and thank you for the nice welcome. Wife and I plan on spending more time in our new I Pod than at home! I have a question Stephen.... ours has a solar panel to keep the battery charged. Will it hurt to leave the battery power switch on all time? This is the first camper I've had with a solar panel which I think was a great idea to incorporate one on the roof for that purpose. Thanks again.......Happy Camping!
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2023 at 4:04pm
If it has the solar panel installed, I think (but don't know for sure) that you will need to leave any battery cut-off switch turned on. Ours is old enough to have the wires for solar, but no solar panel or controller. Not knowing the setup, you would need to consult your manuals, your dealer, or others who have the same type setup. I have a Renogy solar suitcase with a charge controller, but it is not part of the RPod.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2023 at 7:33pm
Welcome! I tried leaving the battery switch on with our first (and only) solar charger on our 195. It didn't provide enough charge to overcome the drain experienced in our Eastern OR winters. So charge the battery up and turn off the switch. Have fun! (I'm enjoying your enthusiasm!)
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Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff
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Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2023 at 10:38am
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Is your fridge a 2 way (elec - propane) fridge, or is it a DC fridge. How many watts is the solar panel. My current rig came stock with 80 watts, but i'm going to add 100 watts, plus a second battery. I have a DC fridge and I want to be sure I can get 2 - 3 days of fridge use, without any shore power or genny assist. Assuming I'm not camped right under a big oak tree.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2023 at 11:09am
You will need to leave the battery connected if you want your solar module to keep it charged. And park in the sun of course and keep the solar module clean and clear.
Alternatively you can connect the solar charge controller to the battery side of the battery disconnect (via an appropriate fuse for the gauge of the controller wire).
But you really shouldn't have to bypass the battery disconnect. If you have a clean, clear 80 to 120 watt solar module or so and the battery is still discharging then something isnt right.
The parasitic drain on an rpod shouldnt be more than 100 to 200 milliamps at most, from the CO detector. That works out to 2 to 5 amphours per day max. A 80 watt solar module is going to provide more than that even in PNW winter, unless it's shaded, covered with snow or leaves.
Likely some load has been left on, or your solar charge controller isn't working properly. To find out which, buy a multimeter with DC current clamp on capability (about $40 on Amazon) and see what your battery draw and sunny day solar output really are. Be sure the meter you get measures DC current not just AC current, which is done with more common and less expensive technology.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2023 at 4:37pm
Just put my experience with the solar collector out there, Offgrid. Didn't intend for you to need to diagnose, evaluate, and come to some other conclusions than I had. Wish we were all as smart and experienced as you, then only one person would have to answer these questions on this site.
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Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2023 at 1:45am
Dirt Sifter, sorry if I offended you.
I can see rereading the thread why you could think I was directly responding to your post but I wasn't intending that. The OP was asking if he should leave his solar module and battery connected, so I answered, and provided some troubleshoot tips along the way.
Re being smart and experienced, on this particular subject I do happen to be an expert. My suggestions, and they are only suggestions,are based on 40 years experience as a professional solar engineering specialist. In other areas my suggestions might or might not be as well grounded as anyone else's. I'd probably still provide my opinion if I have one though...
But that doesn't mean anyone has to follow my suggestions, yours', or anyone else's. We are all free agents and can do what we want.
I didn't say that disconnecting your battery and solar module wouldnt work, only that if you needed to do that there is likely something else that's not quite right.
So feel free to stick with your method, that's fine with me. But if you're providing advice to someone else, you and all of us should expect other forum members with differing points of view to chime in as well. That's what forums are for after all.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Posted By: Ipodder
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2023 at 11:35am
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Thanks Stephen, I just went ahead and turned the battery switch off and let it charge while towing.
Happy camping!
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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Posted By: Ipodder
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2023 at 11:39am
Wow, thanks so much offgrid. I will take your advice and order a multi meter from Amazon.
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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